Tag: nevin manimala

Pharmacy (Basel). 2022 Apr 9;10(2):44. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy10020044.

ABSTRACT

Ensuring an adequate preparation for undergraduate students transitioning to pharmacy school is challenging. A significant barrier is changing from a subordinate to a critical thinking mindset while self-identifying as a professional. Here, we aimed to (1) determine whether our prepharmacy program called “Professional Identity and Me” (PRIME) could enhance learners’ self-awareness of their professional identity and (2) compare the effectiveness of the in-person and online versions of PRIME. PRIME introduced prepharmacy students to aspects of pharmacists’ professional identity including community, hospital, and interprofessional work, as well as mental health, wellness, and time and stress management skills, Top-200 drugs, prerequisite foundational sciences, and calculations. Concepts of professionalism, graduate writing, and ownership were also presented. Bridging exercises were introduced to exemplify application. We used a mixed-methods approach to assess the outcomes. The average performance in knowledge-based assessments increased before and after the PRIME program from 53.8 to 74.6% and from 47.7 to 75.9%, while the difference in the test scores was statistically significant, with a 21% increase (p < 0.001, 95% CI 15-26%) and a 28% improvement (p < 0.001, 95% CI 23-34%) for face-to-face versus virtual PRIME. The results of a student perception survey revealed PRIME was equally effective as a virtual program during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting transferability to other pharmacy programs.

PMID:35448703 | DOI:10.3390/pharmacy10020044

Vet Sci. 2022 Apr 17;9(4):193. doi: 10.3390/vetsci9040193.

ABSTRACT

The early and accurate diagnosis of brucellosis, a ubiquitous zoonotic infection, is significant in preventing disease transmission. This study aimed to assess the infection rate of Brucella spp. in ruminants and to evaluate the agreement between a serological test and a molecular method for the detection of infected cases. Blood and milk samples of 136 ruminants were analyzed using two laboratory methods: the Rose Bengal plate (RBP) test to detect B. abortus and B. melitensis antibodies and the molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the presence of bacterial DNA. The agreement between the methods was assessed using the kappa statistic. Based on the RBP test, there were 12 (8.8%) seropositive animals (10 sheep and 2 cows), while 2 (1.4%) samples were positive on PCR analysis. The positive PCR samples were from seronegative cow samples on RBP testing. There was slight agreement (k = -0.02) between the two methods, which was not statistically significant. Our results indicate that complementary molecular methods are useful to detect the bacteria in infected animals that are seronegative due to an early stage of infection. Therefore, a combination of molecular methods and serological tests can be applied to detect brucellosis in ruminants efficiently.

PMID:35448691 | DOI:10.3390/vetsci9040193

Vet Sci. 2022 Apr 11;9(4):181. doi: 10.3390/vetsci9040181.

ABSTRACT

Diminishing Campylobacter prevalence in poultry flocks has proven to be extremely challenging. To date, efficacious control measures to reduce Campylobacter prevalence are still missing. A potential approach to control Campylobacter in modern poultry productions is to occupy its niche in the mucosal layer by administering live intestinal microbiota from adult chickens to dayold-chicks (competitive exclusion (CE)). Therefore, this in vivo study investigates the efficacy of a complex CE culture to reduce Campylobacter (C.) jejuni colonization in broiler chickens. For this purpose, the complex CE culture was applied twice: once by spray application to day-old chicks immediately after hatching (on the 1st day of life) and subsequently by an additional application via drinking water on the 25th day of life. We observed a consistent and statistically significant reduction of C. jejuni counts in cloacal swabs throughout the entire fattening period. At the end of the trial after necropsy (at 33 days of age), C. jejuni cecal counts also showed a statistically significant decrease of 1 log₁₀ MPN/g compared to the control group. Likewise, colon counts were reduced by 2.0 log₁₀ MPN/g. These results suggest that CE cultures can be considered a practically relevant control strategy to reduce C. jejuni colonization in broiler chickens on poultry farms.

PMID:35448680 | DOI:10.3390/vetsci9040181

Vet Sci. 2022 Apr 13;9(4):187. doi: 10.3390/vetsci9040187.

ABSTRACT

Equine adenovirus 1 (EAdV-1) can cause upper respiratory disease in horses and has been reported worldwide. In this study, and for the first time in Korea, the prevalence of EAdV-1 in equine nasal swabs was investigated using a PCR to identify potential risk factors and examine the genetic diversity of its DNA sequences by a comparison with foreign strains. Nasal swabs collected from 359 horses reared at Korea Racing Authority facilities were tested using an EAdV-1 hexon-specific PCR and the associations between EAdV-1 infection and sex, age, region, breed, and activity were analyzed. Five samples (1.4%, 5/359) tested positive for EAdV-1; however, no statistically significant differences were observed with respect to any variable. Among the five EAdV-1-positive horses, a co-infection with equine influenza, equine herpesvirus 1 and 4, or Streptococcus equi was not detected; however, clinical respiratory signs were observed in one. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial EAdV-1 hexon gene sequences revealed that the Korean EAdV-1 isolates shared approximately 98.8-100% similarity among each other and with foreign strains. Three Korean isolates shared high similarity with strains from Australia and India and the remaining two isolates were separate in phylogenetic analyses. These findings highlight the molecular prevalence and genetic diversity of EAdV-1 in horses in Korea.

PMID:35448685 | DOI:10.3390/vetsci9040187

Vet Sci. 2022 Apr 1;9(4):172. doi: 10.3390/vetsci9040172.

ABSTRACT

E-cadherin (E-cad) is a cell-adhesion molecule known for its tumor-invasion suppressor function. E-cad expression was examined immunohistochemically in a series of canine tissue samples, including normal gastric mucosa (NGM; n = 3), gastric carcinomas (GC; n = 33), adjacent non-neoplastic mucosa (NNM; n = 32), neoplastic emboli (n = 16) and metastatic lesions (n = 9). The relationship between E-cad expression and clinicopathological features were investigated. In NGM, epithelial cells showed strong latero-lateral membranous expression of E-cad, and this pattern was considered normal. The membranous staining was preserved in all specimens of NNM (100%), whereas abnormal E-cad expression was found in 87.9% of the GCs. A marked difference in E-cad expression was observed between normal and malignant tissues (p < 0.0002). Abnormal E-cad expression was significantly more frequent in poorly/undifferentiated carcinomas (96%) and diffuse (95%) and indeterminate carcinomas (100%) than in well-differentiated/intestinal ones (62.5%; p = 0.0115 and p = 0.0392, respectively). There was significant association between abnormal E-cad expression and the depth of invasion (p = 0.0117), and the presence neoplastic emboli (p = 0.0194). No statistically significant differences in E-cad expression were observed concerning tumor location, histological type according to WHO classification, and presence of metastatic lesions. Therefore, deregulation of E-cad expression may play a role in canine gastric carcinogenesis and in tumor progression; moreover, it might be a prognostic tool for canine gastric cancer.

PMID:35448670 | DOI:10.3390/vetsci9040172

Rev Environ Health. 2022 Apr 21. doi: 10.1515/reveh-2022-0005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the results of modeling the distribution process of industrial emission components at specified distances from the emission source along the normal. The model uses a system of differential diffusion equations to compute the concentration profiles of aerosols, industrial gases, and fine particles in the atmosphere. In order to investigate the regularity of the emitter propagation into the atmosphere, a theory of impurity dispersion was developed. The model is constrained by the effect of particle interactions. The partial derivative equations are presented to calculate the concentrations of aerosols and fine particles under the turbulent airflow in the atmosphere, dispersion of inert impurities, and distribution of chemically active compounds. The adequacy of the mathematical model for a series of theoretical calculations was checked by contrasting the data of the atmospheric air monitoring for the cities of Almaty, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Pavlodar, Atyrau, Krasnodar, Chelyabinsk, Beijing, and Shanghai. Air monitoring data included PM10, SO₂, and NO₂ levels. The mathematical model solutions for the relative values of the emitter concentration in the direction along the normal of the pollution source at the surface were obtained. Graphical interpretation of the calculation results over the 0…200 m distance for time intervals ranging from 3 to 600 min was provided. According to the multiple factor cluster analysis, the critical values of SO₂ concentrations in Atyrau exceeded MPC in 26.2% of cases. The level of NO₂ for Shanghai was 15.6%, and those for PM10 concentrations in Almaty and Atyrau amounted to 16.4%. A comparison of theoretical values and results obtained from official sources showed arithmetic mean of 49.4 mg/m³ and maximum value of 823.0 mg/m³. Standard deviation comprised 48.9 mg/m³. Results were considered statistically significant at p≤0.005. The mathematical model developed in this study can be used to predict the status of atmospheric air.

PMID:35447020 | DOI:10.1515/reveh-2022-0005

J Periodontol. 2022 Apr 21. doi: 10.1002/JPER.21-0706. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The relationship between periodontitis and hypertension remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the association of periodontitis, missing teeth, and oral hygiene behaviors with the incidence of hypertension.

METHODS: A total of 104,349 participants were selected from the National Health Insurance System-Health Screening cohort. Incident hypertension and periodontitis were diagnosed based on the patients’ clinical records and health examinations. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed after adjusting for socioeconomic factors, coexisting disease, and health behaviors.

RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 51.1 years (range, 40-79 years) at baseline, and 55.1% were men. A total of 52,855 incident hypertension cases were identified during the median follow-up period of 9.6 years. Among the participants, periodontitis (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.02, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.00-1.04), number of missing teeth (for ≥15 group, HR: 1.40, 95% CI: 1.29-1.52), dental scaling (HR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.91-0.95), and tooth brushing frequency (for ≥3 group, HR: 0.85, 95% CI: 0.83-0.88) were significantly associated with incident hypertension after full adjustments for covariates. While periodontitis was significantly associated with incident hypertension (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06) in the middle-aged group (40-64 years), the effect was insignificant in the older group (≥65 years).

CONCLUSION: Oral inflammation could contribute to the incidence of hypertension; thus, efforts to reduce oral inflammation should be encouraged. Future intervention studies are warranted to determine whether oral health care could be beneficial in the management of hypertension. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:35446990 | DOI:10.1002/JPER.21-0706

Liver Transpl. 2022 Apr 21. doi: 10.1002/lt.26489. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study characterizes incidence and outcomes surrounding intracardiac thrombosis (ICT) during liver transplant over nine years at a single center, pre/post routine use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).

METHODS: Adult liver transplant patients from 2011 to 2020 were divided into eras based on routine TEE use. ICTs were identified by querying anesthetic records for search terms. Descriptive statistics included counts and proportions for baseline recipient, donor, intraoperative, and postoperative characteristics. Outcome data were based upon date of hospital discharge and date of death.

RESULTS: The incidence of ICT increased in the TEE-Era (2016-2020) compared to the Pre-TEE Era (2011-2015) (3.7% (25/685) vs. 1.9% (9/491); p<0.001). ICT patients had significantly higher MELD-Na, pretransplant hospitalization, malignancy, drug induced liver injury, hypertension, DVT, reperfusion syndrome, transfused platelets and cryoprecipitate and use of hemostatic medications. A higher proportion of patients in the ICT group underwent simultaneous liver kidney transplant. The ICT patients were similar except the pre-TEE era had higher MELD-Na score and incidence of hepatitis C virus and lower incidence of encephalopathy. In the Pre-TEE Era, all ICTs presented as intraoperative cardiac arrest and the 30-day mortality in the setting of ICT was 66.7% (6/9). During the TEE Era, 80% of ICT were diagnosed incidentally or due to hemodynamic instability (p=0.002). The 30-day mortality was 36% (9/25) in the TEE-era (p=0.25).

CONCLUSION: ICT incidence increased in the TEE-Era, yet the mortality was lower, suggesting that routine intraoperative TEE may lead to early detection of ICT prior to hemodynamic collapse.

PMID:35447005 | DOI:10.1002/lt.26489

J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2022 Apr 21:glac096. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glac096. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy is highly prevalent among older adults. This study’s purpose was to provide nationally representative estimates of self-reported comprehensive medication review (CMR) receipt among older adults and describe factors associated with their receipt, as CMRs are available through the Medicare Part D program.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging (NPHA), a nationally representative online survey of community-dwelling adults aged 50-80, administered in December 2019. Participants included older adults aged 65-80 with any health insurance (n = 960). Outcomes were self-reported CMR receipt, awareness of CMR insurance coverage, and interest in a future CMR with a pharmacist. Sociodemographic and health-related variables were included. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression with NPHA population sampling weights were used.

RESULTS: Among older adults on two or more prescription medications, only 20.8% had received a CMR while 34.3% were interested in a future CMR. Among individuals who had not received a CMR, most (83.4%) were unaware their insurance might cover a CMR. Factors associated with higher odds of receiving a CMR included taking five or more prescription medications (AOR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.59-4.38) and reporting food insecurity (AOR=2.9, 95% CI: 1.07-7.93). Having fair or poor self-reported physical health was associated with lower odds of receiving a CMR (AOR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.25-0.97).

CONCLUSIONS: Most older adults on two or more prescription medications with health insurance had not received a CMR and many were interested in one. Targeted strategies to increase older adults’ awareness and receipt of CMRs are warranted.

PMID:35446953 | DOI:10.1093/gerona/glac096

J Oral Implantol. 2022 Apr 21. doi: 10.1563/aaid-joi-D-21-00012. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To evaluate through histological and histomorphometric analysis of human biopsies the guided bone regeneration (GBR) potential of allograft, xenograft, and alloplastic materials in combination with resorbable membranes in sockets following extraction. This randomized controlled clinical trial comprised three experimental groups and one negative control group (n=8). Thirty-two patients were randomized and pos-extraction sockets received either an allograft (human cancellous bone, freeze dried, DIZG, Berlin), xenograft (BioOss; Geistlich Biomaterials, Switzerland), or alloplast (biphasic calcium sulphate, Bondbone, MIS) graft material, while sockets of the negative control group were left empty for spontaneous healing. At re-entry after three months, bone core biopsies of the treated sites were obtained using a 3.2 mm trephine drill. Bone samples were histologically processed for histomorphometric, qualitatively and quantitatively, analyses with respect to percentages of new vital bone, graft particle content, soft tissue, and bone marrow. Statistical analyses were performed through Kruskal-Wallis test, and p -values were recalculated using Monte Carlo permutation tests ( p <0.05). All three groups presented bone volume suitable for the placement of a dental implant. The xenograft yielded significantly less amount of vital bone in comparison to the allograft and alloplast groups. Comparing the percentage of residual graft particles, there was a significantly greater amount in the xenograft group in contrast to the allograft and alloplast. Similarly, a significant amount of soft tissue (as a function of percentage) was observed within the xenograft group relative to the other groups. No significant differences were detected in the percentage of residual graft particles between the allograft and alloplast groups. Additionally, there was no significant differences observed in vital bone percentage between the allograft, alloplast and control groups. Regarding the evaluation of bone marrow percentage, the only significant difference detected was between the xenograft and the alloplast material. All studied bone substitute materials exhibited bone apposition and adequate properties for their efficient use in alveolar ridge preservation procedures. Of the three grafting materials, allograft evidenced the greatest GBR potential with the highest percentage of vital bone and the lowest percentage of residual graft particles, while xenografts presented the lowest GBR potential after three months in vivo.

PMID:35446950 | DOI:10.1563/aaid-joi-D-21-00012